There is nothing that actually relates to the Puma, other the air intake location, which however is common to Russian helicopters in IAFs fleet as explained. I wouldn't even be surprised to see a similar rear door as the Dhruv or Mi 17, for rope operations, which again is different to the Puma.

French defence giant Safran keen to supply engines to HAL for indigenous helicopter

MUMBAI, OCTOBER 13:
Safran Helicopter Engines, manufacturer of gas-turbine engines for both civil and military helicopters, is developing a new family of high-power engines called Aneto. The French manufacturer is looking to supply its engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which had floated a global request for information (RFI) for the purchase of engines to power its home-made multi-role helicopter.

Developed as part of the Safran’s research and development roadmap, the Aneto family of engines features several models covering 2,500-3,000 shp (shaft horsepower) power range, known as heavy helicopter engines.

HAL’s RFI had stipulated that the State-owned firm is looking for 3,000shp-class twin engines and is aiming to fast-track development of its indigenous helicopter.

HAL is engaged in the design and development of rotary wing aircraft with state-of-the-art technologies. The company intends to purchase the engine under a technology-transfer agreement.

HAL aims to develop the 12tonne-class Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), which will be designed to offer a service ceiling of around 20,000 feet, 3,500-kg payload with a seating capacity of 24. The aircraft will be able to assist in combat search-and-rescue, tactical troop transport, casualty evacuation, sling-load transportation, anti-surface operations and off-shore operations, among other activities.

The proposed IMRH is to be powered by twin engines and equipped with an automatic flight-control system. Initially, the indigenous helicopters will be aimed at the Indian Air Force, while a naval variant also is on the cards.

The new Aneto engines by Safran boast of an exceptional power-to-volume ratio, offering 25 per cent more power compared with existing engines of the same volume. The company has said this will provide increased capabilities, especially for offshore, search-and-rescue or military transport missions.

HAL’s RFI for the “supply of suitable turbo shaft engine for IMRH programme” has also evinced interest from other foreign OEMs. Sources indicated that the RFI relates to turbo shaft engines, assistance with development of a blade-folding system and external reviews of the 12-tonne rotorcraft’s landing gear and transmission.

Design and development of the landing gear will also be undertaken by HAL’s Rotary Wing Research Design Centre. The duration of the design review period is six years.

French defence giant Safran keen to supply engines to HAL for indigenous helicopter

MUMBAI, OCTOBER 13:
Safran Helicopter Engines, manufacturer of gas-turbine engines for both civil and military helicopters, is developing a new family of high-power engines called Aneto. The French manufacturer is looking to supply its engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which had floated a global request for information (RFI) for the purchase of engines to power its home-made multi-role helicopter.

Developed as part of the Safran’s research and development roadmap, the Aneto family of engines features several models covering 2,500-3,000 shp (shaft horsepower) power range, known as heavy helicopter engines.

HAL’s RFI had stipulated that the State-owned firm is looking for 3,000shp-class twin engines and is aiming to fast-track development of its indigenous helicopter.

HAL is engaged in the design and development of rotary wing aircraft with state-of-the-art technologies. The company intends to purchase the engine under a technology-transfer agreement.

HAL aims to develop the 12tonne-class Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), which will be designed to offer a service ceiling of around 20,000 feet, 3,500-kg payload with a seating capacity of 24. The aircraft will be able to assist in combat search-and-rescue, tactical troop transport, casualty evacuation, sling-load transportation, anti-surface operations and off-shore operations, among other activities.

The proposed IMRH is to be powered by twin engines and equipped with an automatic flight-control system. Initially, the indigenous helicopters will be aimed at the Indian Air Force, while a naval variant also is on the cards.

The new Aneto engines by Safran boast of an exceptional power-to-volume ratio, offering 25 per cent more power compared with existing engines of the same volume. The company has said this will provide increased capabilities, especially for offshore, search-and-rescue or military transport missions.

HAL’s RFI for the “supply of suitable turbo shaft engine for IMRH programme” has also evinced interest from other foreign OEMs. Sources indicated that the RFI relates to turbo shaft engines, assistance with development of a blade-folding system and external reviews of the 12-tonne rotorcraft’s landing gear and transmission.

Design and development of the landing gear will also be undertaken by HAL’s Rotary Wing Research Design Centre. The duration of the design review period is six years.

Good to see them pushing the helicopter developments on their own, without waiting for a requirement to be issued. The question is only, how many orders they can expect at the end. IN will be going for foreign helicopters via SPM for sure, which leaves only the VIP helicopters and other Mi 8 to replace, while the Mi 17s are not that old yet.

Good to see them pushing the helicopter developments on their own, without waiting for a requirement to be issued. The question is only, how many orders they can expect at the end. IN will be going for foreign helicopters via SPM for sure, which leaves only the VIP helicopters and other Mi 8 to replace, while the Mi 17s are not that old yet.

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IMRH is being pushed by IN and they are keen to have a very large number of them for LPDs/LHDs for use by MARCOs.

Neither will be large numbers required for LPDs, nor would they be necessary after the NMRH tender. The H225M is in the same class and if selected, it blocks any IMRH for IN.

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IN is desperately short on all kinds of helos from ASW to medium troop carrier to Light utility. They need over 250 helos as of yesterday just to be able to have one on each ship in required numbers. Plus we will have LPDs/LHDs which will need LCH and IMRH as its main compliment.

Good to see them pushing the helicopter developments on their own, without waiting for a requirement to be issued. The question is only, how many orders they can expect at the end. IN will be going for foreign helicopters via SPM for sure, which leaves only the VIP helicopters and other Mi 8 to replace, while the Mi 17s are not that old yet.

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There is significant Mi-8 replacement need for IAF .Even if we minus DAC cleared order of 48 Mi-17. Army have a solid requirement of 60 Tactical Battlefield Support Helicopter (TBSH) for its five corps. Now add 12 VVIP version, I would forecast a minimum requirement of 120+ for these two services.

Thought so. Helicopters like the S-70B/MH-60R simply do not have the carrying capacity of helos like H225M or the IMRH.

Even Dhruv can carry as many troops as Sikorsky Seahawks can.

We need a large-cabin helo like IMRH for the LHDs if we ever hope to airlift any sizable infantry force from naval vessels.

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IMRH is going to be in same class as SeaKing42C. This will allow it to operate from many ships which can carry two helos of this size. Nearly every ship of the IN has hanger space fit for Seaking class of helicopter.

IMRH is going to be in same class as SeaKing42C. This will allow it to operate from many ships which can carry two helos of this size. Nearly every ship of the IN has hanger space fit for Seaking class of helicopter.

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And these Sea Kings will be replaced by foreign helicopters, from an Indian production line, that even will start production earlier than HAL. So IN has no requirement for them and MoD is pushing privat SPs with the promise of large orders and long term productions.

HAL can save the money for a naval version and should focus on IAF and NG capabilities if possible.

Dhruv is a utility helicopter, but IAF won't give away their main transport helicopter requirement to IA. Apache is even the sad proof for that, with the pointless addition of just 6 of a requirement of 39. That's a win for IAF not for IA, because IA will remain to be dependent on IAF for Apaches.
I wished it would be different, but that simply not going to happen, unless there is a DM with the guts to finally reform IAF and our forces for more efficiency (all combat helicopters to IA, maritime attack role under IN...).

Dhruv is a utility helicopter, but IAF won't give away their main transport helicopter requirement to IA. Apache is even the sad proof for that, with the pointless addition of just 6 of a requirement of 39. That's a win for IAF not for IA, because IA will remain to be dependent on IAF for Apaches.
I wished it would be different, but that simply not going to happen, unless there is a DM with the guts to finally reform IAF and our forces for more efficiency (all combat helicopters to IA, maritime attack role under IN...).

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Four apache is just a start. They will get full squadron for each three strike crops in time. It just mean IAF failed. Dhruv is a transport helicopter. There is nothing called 'main' helicopter between services. IA had a better argument in the case of Apache. For an indian IMRH they got nothing.

There is nothing called 'main' helicopter between services. IA had a better argument in the case of Apache. For an indian IMRH they got nothing.

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Main helicopter wrt the in numbers in IAF. And yes, IA had better arguments for Apaches and still was neither able to get the 22, nor even the full option of 11. The 6 they get now is just a drop in the bucket to give IA something. But getting the medium class helicopters is a whole different issue and IAF will fight even stronger to not set another precedent for diverting helicopters to IA.